Monday, April 28, 2014

Thank you all for your wonderful comments on my last two makes! I don't know what happened between last week and this week but the sun has disappeared! Perfect for a good ol' wool project. Enter the skirt from McCall 3834:

I had enough fabric left over from my jacket (McCall 3769 or the 'Lantern Army' jacket) to make a matching skirt. McCall 3834 was super easy and quick to sew with maybe 2 hours or so of construction time. The skirt is very straight and there's only two major pieces.

I decided to leave the hem a bit longer because I love how it looks with the jacket. What you can't see from the brown wool fabric is that there are tiny little flecks of blue in it. So, I am planning on making a matching blouse in a similar blue colour to the one I'm wearing here (what can I say, I like blue blouses!!) This blouse is from a 1950s Maudella pattern but I'd like another blouse without the bow necktie.

The beautiful flowers (violets?) give a false impression that spring is here! But as you can see from the photos, it was very windy and cold. Scotland is very changeable in terms of weather. Locals often joke that if you don't like the weather, just wait 15 minutes and it will change!

Of course, that means I'll get a lot of wear out of this suit!! I can't wait to make more suits from the 1940 McCall patterns...

Friday, April 25, 2014

Late as usual for the party, I was stuck in the Clackett Cantina and didn't manage to get out in time for yesterday's deadline for the 'Sew Dolly Clackett' challenge. For those of you that haven't heard of this...it's a lovely wedding gift for our beloved fellow blogger and sewist extraordinaire, Roisin. I had the pleasure of meeting Roisin and Nic in London and I am over the moon at their wedding! And yes, she is as nice and stylish in person as on her blog (with a killer shoe and me-made dress collection)! A definite source of inspiration.

So, I wanted to pick an extra special pattern and photoshoot location for my 'Sew Dolly Clackett' dress. Do you believe this western-looking street is hidden away in an alley in the heart of Edinburgh? It is basically several false fronts on a bunch of sheds that an innovative furniture store owner (who used to work on movie/theatre sets) created for their business. So great!

Of course, I didn't actually follow the rules for the challenge...I sort of made up a "If Dolly Clackett wore 1940s dresses" challenge. Or "Dolly Clackett Sews for Victory". But, I do think Roisin would approve of the fabric...so bright and colourful! It brings a smile to my face.

I chose McCall 3684 for the extra drapey fabric (fabric content unknown but I'm guessing some sort of jersey blend). I will definitely have to make this dress again because I wasn't able to make the awesome sleeves that are part of View A.

The bodice is really neat. It includes gathering at the shoulders and then two w-shaped bodice pieces that are sewn together with a lapped seam just below the bust area. I think the shape really elongates the torso (I like this look so much better sans belt, though I know they would have worn one in 1940).

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Hello! I know it's been awhile...things have been busy here as of late BUT I have managed to fit some sewing in! One of the items I have wanted to add to my wardrobe the most is a 1940s dressing gown. Enter Butterick 5152, a reissued vintage pattern from 1948 in perfect time for the Sew for Victory 2.0, a 1940s sew-along:

I made the dressing gown out of a rich and heavy silk jacquard fabric. I've used a similar version of this fabric before (in red) to make a 1930's gown. It sews like a dream.

The pattern consists of a yoked shoulder front, long 'puffed' sleeves and a wrap front held in place by a hook and eye. I didn't have enough fabric to make the belt and my local fabric store is no longer carrying this fabric. But I think that's fine as belts on robes are sometimes a bit annoying! So I just wear my sans belt. There are also subtle gathers on the front waist and more gathers on the back yoke.

The dressing gown goes perfectly with my 1940 McCall 'Wish Upon a Star' nightgown! It's nice because the dressing gown doesn't have a collar which allows the collar and ties of the nightgown to show through.

I really adore the big puffy sleeves and I feel so glamorous when I wear this around the house! Plus, it's nice and toasty – perfect for virtually every season here in Scotland!

Awww...look at the kitty...our dearest little Echo 'Chickpea'. She's such a sweetie!!

I'm really trying to develop an entire wardrobe of 1930s and 40s inspired 'at-home' lounging and nightwear garments! I just love how beautiful all the garment designs are from those time periods!